COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Grades and Grading is the third part of the Earthwork five part series. It is designed to prepare technical front-line workers for what they can expect to see during actual project inspection. Topics covered include an overview of the plans that pertain to earthwork and earthwork quantities, grade stakes that will be encountered and their meanings, how Global Positioning System (GPS) works and its functions in the field, and verifying and documenting grade information. This course is primarily intended for inspectors and technicians.

The introductory lesson covers an overview of the plan sheets that deal with earthwork and earthwork quantities, topographical images and their meaning, stationing and control points, and profile/section sheets. The second section covers the typical grade stakes used throughout a project and their meaning. The GPS section discusses the history of GPS in construction and how it relates to current projects. And the final section covers how to verify the grade and what information is needed in the documentation from the inspector.

This course provides the front-line technical inspector with the proper tools to assure that the project is built on a stable platform.

OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

Describe the process of plan reading

Identify the purpose of grade stakes

Explain how Global Positioning System (GPS) works

Describe requirements for grade verification and documentation

TARGET AUDIENCE:

This training is designed for intermediate to advanced technicians who perform site preparation inspection on earthwork projects. The training was developed by the Transportation Curriculum Coordination Council (TCCC) in partnership with NHI and is recommended for TCCC levels II through IV.